Stapling-machine



C. LEA.

STAPLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 7, 1916.

1,356,927, Patented Oct. 26 1920.

4 SHEETSSHEET 1- 1210631703": C'fi/az'ies Lea C. LEA.

STAPLING MACHINE.

APPLICATlONFILED 0507, I916.

Patented Oct. 26, 1920.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

& 4 l

Inventor.- '4 v 6 W595 Lew by LEI/figs.

C. LEA.

STAPLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED 0507,1916.

1,356,927. Patented 00:. 26, 1920.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

I I I Invenior:

CharZeusLea,

0 wags.

C. LEA.

STAPLING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 7, I916.

Patented Oct. 26, 1920.

4 SHEETSS HEET 4.

Izwenio z" Gnu/vies Lea CHARLES LEA, or BOSTON,

COMPANY A STAPLING-MACHINE.

Application filed December To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARnEsI JEA, a citi zen of the United States, and aresident of Boston,. district of Dorchester, county of Suffolk, State ofMassachusetts, have invented an Improvement in stapling-Machines, ofwhich the following description, in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, is 'a specification, like characters on the drawingsrepresenting like parts.

This invention relates to stapling machines, beingmore particularlyconcerned with a machine for'forming staples from a wire and drivingthem into the work, the machine being especially useful in offices forthe fastening together of two or more sheets of paper, although itis'susceptible of general use wherever staples are required to the Work;and

fasten thicknesses of material together.

My invention will be best understood by reference to the followingdescription when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings ofone illustrative embodiment thereof, while its scope will bemoreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings: I

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a staple forming and setting machineembodying my invention; i

Fig. 2 is a plan section on irregular line 2-2inFig'.1;.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the machine;

Fig. 4- is a central, longitudinal section of the machine with a portionof the hand lever broken away;

Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are sectional views on line 5-5 of Fig. 3illustrating the mechanism in various positions, Fig. 5 showing theinitial or normal position, Fig. 6 showing the position which the partsoccupy just after the wire has been severed, Fig. 7 showing the parts asthey appear just after the staple has been formed, and Fig. 8 showingthe parts as they appear after the staple has been set. j

Fig. 9 is a detailed plan of the gage for Fig. 10'is a rear elevation ofthe machine.

Referring to the drawings and to the embodiment of my invention which Ihave selected for illustration, I have there shown a staple-forming andsettin machine having as the preferred stap e -forming material a wire11, supplied in the form of a Specification of Letters Patent.

PATENT omen.

MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR 'ro 'EvEm'iADY MFG.-

OF BOSTON.

I Patented Oct. 26,1920. 7, 1916. Serial No. 135,525.

coil wound on a suitable spool 12, the latter being herein formed ofsheet metal, and provided with two flanges 13 and 14, be-' tween whichthe coils of wire are wound. This spool may be mounted upon a suitablespool holder 15, the latter being herein in the shape of a hub formed asa part of a frame 16, constituting a combined support and housing forthe mechanism. In the present instance, the frame is provided with anannular shell or casing 17 which encircles the spool, and-there is thusprovided between said casing and the hub. an annular spool chamber 18 inwhich the spool is housed. The entrance to the spool chamberis closed bya part of the spool, which is herein the flange 14. The spool may beheld in its place in the chamber by any suitable means, here- ,in aretaining spring 19 mounted on a pivot 20' on thehub 15, and adapted tobeswung about its pivot across the face of the flange, as illustrated inFigs. 2 and 10, thereby to hold the spool in place. By simply swinglngthis spool retainer around until it clears the inner circumferentialedge of the flange 14, the spool may be withdrawn in a rearwarddirection. v

The wire 11 is led from the spool through a suitable opening 21 in thecasing '17, whence it is fed by any suitable mechanism, such as thatwhich I will now describe. Mounted on the front face of the combinedframe and housing 16 is an oscillating feed member 22, herein providedwith a plurality of segmental slots 23', 24 and 25. Suitable guides,herein a plurality of screws or studs 26, 27 and 28 passing through theslots 23, 24 and 25, respectively, are threaded into the front faceofthe frame and serve to enforce a circular movement of the feed member 22as well as to limit the movement of the latter in opposite directions.The feed member is herein provided with an arm 29 having an opening 30through which the wire 11 loosely passes. Attached to this arm is aspecies offeedpawl 31, herein in the form of .a spring, secured at 32 tothe feed member and having a free end 33 which engages the wire. Alsoengaging the wire and preferably adjacent the feed pawl is a species of'spring secured at- 35 to the casing 17 and having a free end 36 engagingthe wire 11..

The-stop pawl 34 prevents retrograde movement of the wlre during thebackward or non-working stroke of the pawl 31 (contraclockwise as viewedin Figs. 1 and 5 to 8, inclusive). When the feed pawl is moved in theopposite direction it exerts a wedging action against the wire, firmlyclamping the latter in the hole 30 in'the arm 29, thereby causing thewire to be advanced, it being understood that at such time the stop pawl34 tends to swing away from the wire and allow the latter to be advancedwithout undue restraint. I

Herein the feed member 22 is moved on its working stroke by a suitablespring 37 having one end fixed at 38 and its other end bearing againstan abutment 39 on the feed member 22, thereby constantly tending to movethe latter in a clockwise direction (Figs. 1 and 5 to 8, inclusive). Theidle or nonworking stroke of the feed member may be produced by anysuitable means, herein the pin 40, which is intermittently brought intoengagement with the abutment 39 during the operation of the machine bysuitable means hereinafter described.

Turning now to the staple forming and setting mechanism, the latterherein comprises a pair of staple-forming plungers 41 and 42 betweenwhich astaple driving plunger 43 is disposed. These plungers are hereinmounted to slide in a suitable guideway formed by two side guides 44 and45, a rear guide 96 and a front guide 97, the latter being in the formof a removable plate held between shoulders 98 and 99 of the side guidesand secured to the latter by screws 100.

Cooperating with the staple forming plungers 41 and 42 is astaple-forming block 103 across which the wire 11 is fed by the wirefeeding mechanism hereinbefore described. The free end of the wire isguided into its placeacross the forming block-by a wire guide. thelatter herein for convenience. of manufacture being formed as a part ofthe side plunger guide 44, by simply providing the latter with aperforation 105 slightly larger in diameter than the wire. This guide,moreover, as will presently appear, constitutes a cutter which, incooperation with the forming plunger 41 during the early part of thedescent of the latter serves to sever the wire. Preparatorvto thiscutting of the wire, its advancing end is broughtagainst the inner faceof the side plunger guide 45,- which stops the wire and serves as a gagefor determining the length of wire which is to be cut oif preparatory tothe formation of the staple.

The plungers may be actuated in properly timed relation by any suitablemeans. In the present instance. cams 46and 47, co-

v operating with the plungers 41 and 42. re-

spectively. cause the latter to descend in unison and somewhat n advanceof the plunger 43, the latter being actuated by a cam 48. This cam, forconvenience of manufacture, is herein formed as a part of an actuatinglever 49, provided with a suitable handle 50, which maybe struck orpressed upon by the palm of the hand in a downward direction to causethe cams to operate their respective plungers. As a means for limitingthe movement of this lever, the latter is herein provided with "two armsor lugs 51 and 52 arranged to strike suitable stops. In the presentexample, the plate 97 serves as a convenient stop for the arm 51 tolimit the downward motion of the lever, while the upward motion of thelatter is limited by the arm 52 striking against a stop 53, hereinformed as a part of the hub 15. A suitable spring 54 serves to restorethe plungers and the actuating lever to their initial positions afterhaving been depressed. .Herein, this spring is of generally U-shapedform, and extends across and beneath lugs 55 and 56 formed on theplungers 41 and 42, respectively, and a lug 57 formed on the plunger 43.The arms of the spring are preferably provided with coils 58, while theterminal portions 59 of said arms are secured to a suitable support 60herein a part f the hub 15, the latter being herein drilled as at 61 toprovide 'sockets for the ends of thespring. The

cams 46, 47 and 48 are herein secured together and mounted upon a shaft62, which constitutes a fulcrum for the actuating lever 49. I

The staple forming block, hereinbefore referred to, it will be observed,is disposed intermediate the paths of the forming plungers and in thepath of the driving plunger, and since itis in the path of the latter,suitable provision must be made to cause said forming block to recedefrom the path of said driving plunger during the working stroke of thelatter. accomplished by any suitable means, but herein the forming blockis provided with means for utilizing the'working stroke of the drivingplunger to cause said forming block to recede from the path of said,plunger. In the present instance, the forming This may be block ismounted to slide in a suitable guideway 63 formed-in the combined frameand housing 16; This. guideway is transverse to the path of the drivingplunger 43 and permits the forming block to recede in a rearwarddirection against the tension of a suitable spring 64. Herein theforming block is provided with .an appropriately formed cam 65 having aface which is oblique with respect to the path of the driving plunger43, so that as the latter descends and its lower end engages suchoblique surface, the forming block is forced in a rearward direction andcaused to recede from the path of the driving plunger.

described. I

Referring now to the forming plungers 41 and 42, the inner or opposedfaces of the latter are'herein provided respectively with grooves 66 and67 disposed lengthwise thereof and of such proportions in cross sectionas to receive the wire. As before stated, the latter isfed across theforming block (see Fig. 5) it is then severed (see Fig. 6), and furtherdescent ofthe forming plungers 41 and 42 causes .the projecting ends ofthe previously cut piece of wire to be bent in a downward direction (seeFig. 7), it being understood, of course, that the intermediateportion'of the wire rests upon the forming block 103 and thus enforcesthe formation of K a U-shaped staple. The grooves 66 and 67 receive thelegs of this staple as they are formed, and when, upon descent of thedrivin-g .plunger43, the forming block 103 is caused to recede from thepath of the driving plunger, the staple is then supported in the groovesof the forming plungers by reason of the frictional engagement of thestaple legs with the grooves, it being understood, of course, that thestaple legs will have a sufficient tendency to spring in an outwarddirection to cause the staple thus to be held in readiness for theaction of thedriving plunger. The latter now continues its descent,while the forming plungers 41 and 42 remain stationary, and thus thestaple isforced in a downward direction and its legs compelled to passthrough the work.

bend them inwardly (see Fig. 8). By this means the staple is set orclenched. and the thicknesses of material 71 through which it is drivenare united.

The anvil 68 is herein mounted on a suitable base 72, thelatter beingherein for convenience of manufacture formed of thin sheet materialpressed into the desired shape and preferably provided with suitablelegs,

herein rubber cushions or pads 73,. one at each corner of the base.These cushions are intended to rest upon the desk, table or othersupport and prevent the latter from becoming scratched. The anvil may besecured to the base in any suitable manner, but is here- 1 in combinedwith a work gage 74, the latter being provided with abutments '75 forthe edge of the-work and a slot 76, which latter receives a plate 77interposed between the bottom of the anvil and the top of the base. Thisplate fills the slot 76 from side to side and serves as aguide for thegage. A clamping'screw 78, introduced in an upward directionthrough thebase 72 and plate-77 is threaded into the anvil' and serves the doublepurpose of clamping the anvil in fixed position on the base-and causingthe anvil to clamp thegage 74 to its base. By simply loosening thisscrew very slightly the gage The frame 16 may, and herein does,constitute a convenient species of presser to hold the work firmly uponthe anvil while the staple is being driven, and to thisend said frame ispivoted on the base, the latter for this purpose. being provided with adepression '79 in which is disposed a boss 80 secured therein by a screw81. This boss is herein provided with a hole 82 through which a shaft orpin 83 passes into' a pair of ears 84 formed on the frame 16. The latteris herein provided with yielding means tending'to maintain the'samenormally in an elevated position, thus to hold the' staple forming anddriving mechanism and the presser foot elevated above the anvil topermit of the introduction of the work therebetween. To this end I haveherein provided 4 a spring 85 of generally U-shaped form,

similar to that hereinbefore described. and

having coiled'portions 86-and arms 87, the

latter being inserted in holes 88 provided therefor in the boss 80. Thisspring exerts a constant tendency to urge the frame 16in an upwarddirection away from the anvil. but is of sufficiently light tension topermit the. frame at once to descend upon the work the moment downwardpressure is applied upon the handle 50.

-The combined frame and housing 16 as herein constructed constitute aconvenient support for astaple-foiming and driving mechanism as well asfor the wire feeding mechanism, both of these mechanisms being hereinorganized so that the former-is par tially disposed within the latter,thus produclng a very neat, compact and efiicient organlzation. Thisresult is herein obtained by making the hub 15 hollow to receive someshaft or pin 62 which constitutes the fulcrum for the'cams and theactuating lever 49 is mounted in the hub 15, the latter for such purposebeing provided with holes 92 and 93 which receive the terminal portionsof the shaft. I In order to permit the introduction and withdrawal ofthe latter, the casing or shell 17 isiprov/ided with perforations 94 and95. It will be understood, of course, that when the shaft is to beintroduced or withdrawn, the wire holding spool must first be removedfrom its chamber.

The pin 40 hereinbefore referred to in connection with the descriptionof the wire feeding mechanism may be conveniently thismeans the feedmember 22 is given its idle or non-working stroke during the formationand driving of a staple. The working stroke of the feed member, asbefore stated, takes place under the influence of the spring 37 and thisoccurs during the restoration of the staple-forming and drivingmechanism to its initial position. It is therefore evident that witheach working stroke of the lever 49 a staple is completely formed anddriven.

While I have herein shown and described one form or embodiment of myinvention for illustrative purposes and have distion of stapleormingmeans, means includ-- closed and discussed in detail the constructionand arrangement incidental to one specific application thereof, it is tobe understood that the invention is limited neither to the mere detailsor relative arrangement of parts, nor to its specific embodimenthereinshown, but that extensive deviations from the illustrated form orembodiment of the invention may be madewithou't departing from theprinciples thereof.

Having thus described one embodiment of my invention what I claim anddesire by Letters Patent to secure is 1. In a stapling machine, thecombination of staple-forming means, and means for feedingstaple-forming wire thereto, the last-mentioned means including awire-holding spool inclosing a portion ;of the firstmentioned means.

2. In. a stapling machine,- the combination of staple-forming means, andmeans for feeding staple-forming'wire thereto, the last-mentioned meansincluding a 'wire-,

holding spool and a wire-pro ressihg device incloslng a portion of therst mentioned means.

3. In a stapling machine, the combination of staple-forming means, meansfor feeding staple-forming wire thereto, includin "a spool; and ahollowhub upon the outside of which said spool is mounted and withinwhich hub a portion of said stapleforming means is disposed.

4;. In a sta ling machine, the combinaing a spool for supplyingstaple-forming wire thereto, and common supporting means ber actuatedthereby, means including a spool for supplying staple-forming wire tosaid staple-forming means, and common supporting means thereforincluding a hollow support upon which said spool is mounted and withinwhich said rocking member is disposed, and a support on which saidreciprocating member is mounted for coop- .eration with said rockingmember.

6. In a stapling machine, the combination of staple-forming meansincluding a rocking member and a reciprocating member actuated thereby,means including a spool for supplying staple-forming wire to saidstaple-forming means, and common supporting means therefor including ahollow hub about which said spool is mounted to turn, within which hubsaid rocking member is disposed and on one end of which hub saidreciprocating member is mounted.

7. In a stapling machine the combination of staple-forming meansincluding a rocking member and a reciprocating member act-uated thereby,means including a spool for supplying staple-forming wire to saidstapleforming means,and a combined'support and housing thereforcomprising a hub about which said spool is mounted to turn, a pivotalsupport for said rocking member, 'a guide for said reciprocating member,and an inclosure for said spool.-

8L In a stapling machine, the combination of staple-forming meansincluding a rocking member and a reciprocating member actuated thereby,means including a spool for supplying staple-forming wire tosaid'staple' forming means, and a combined support and housing thereforhaving an annular chamber in which said spool is disposed, an innerchamber in which said rocking, member is disposed, and a guideway inwhich said reciprocating member is disposed.

9.. In a stapling machine, the. combination of staple-forming meansincluding a rocking member and a reciprocating member actuated thereby,means including a spool for supplying staple-forming wire to saidstapleforming means, and a combined support and housing therefor havingan annular chamber in' which said spool is disposed, a part of saidspool constituting a closure for the entrance to said chamber, aninterior chamber in which said rocking member is disposed, and aguideway in which said recip rocating member is disposed.

10. Inav fastener setting machine, the combination of fastener settinginstrumentalities including an anvil; gaging means for positioning thework with relation to said anvil, a base on which said anvil is mounted,and means to secure said anvil to said base and to cooperate with saidanvil to secure said gaging means in proper relat10n thereto.

11. In a fastener setting machi ne, the combination of fastener settinginstrumentalities including an anvil; gaging means for positioning thework with relation to said anvil; a base on which said anvil is mounted,and means extending through said base to secure said anvil to said baseand to cooperate with said anvil to secure said gaging means in properrelation thereto.

12. In a fastener setting machine, the combination of fastener settinginstrumentalities including an anvil; gaging means for positioning thework with relation to said anvil; a base on which said anvil is mounted,and means extending through said base and having screw-threadedengagement with said anvil to secure said anvil to said base and tocoiiperate with said anvil to secure said gaging means in properrelation thereto.

13. In a fastener setting machine, the combination of fastener settinginstrumentalities including an anvil; gaging means for positioning thework with relation to said anvil; a base on which said anvil and saidgaging means are supported; means on said base to guide and positionsaid gaging means and to permit adjustment of the latter with referenceto said anvil; and means to secure said anvil to said base and tocooperate with said anvil to secure said gaging means in the desiredposition of adjustment.

14. In a fastener setting machine, the combination of fastener settinginstrumentalities including an anvil; gaging means for positioning the.work with relation to said anvil, said gaging means being provided witha slot; a base on which said anvil and said gaging means are supported;means located in said slot to guide said gaging means and to permitadjustment of the latter with relation to said anvil; and meansextending through said slot to secure said anvil to said base and tocotiperate with said anvil to secure said, gaging means in the desiredposition of adjustment.

15. In a fastener setting machine, th combination of fastener settinginstrumentalities including an anvil; gaging means for positioning thework with relation to said anvil, said gaging means being provided witha slot; a base on which said anvil and said gaging means are supported;an oblong member located in said slot to guide said gaging means and topermit adjustment of the latter with reference to said anvil, saidmember'being provided with a perforation; and a member extending throughsaidperforation and having threaded engagement with said anvil to securesaid anvil and said gaging means to said base.

member having provision for supporting a Wire 0011 thereabout, a stapleformer and 16. In va stapling machine, an annular means to feed wirefrom the coil to the form-er comprising an arc-shaped oscillatingelement mounted'on said annular member.

17. In a stapling machine, an annular member having provision forsupporting a wire coil thereabout, a staple former and 'means to feedwire from the coil to the former comprlsin an arc-shaped element mountedon said annular member for oscillation on the same and having provisionfor gripping the wire on one phase of its oscillation.

18. In a stapling machine, an annular member having provision forsupporting a 'wire coil, a staple former, an" arc-shaped feed membermounted to oscillate on a face of said annular member and havingprovision for gripping the wire on one phase of its oscillation andmeans-for operating the feed member by the movement of the stapleformer.

19. In a stapling machine, an annulushaving provision for supporting awire coil thereabout, staple forming plungers extending substantiallyradially from said annulus, rocking operating devices for said plungerswithin the annulus and a device for feeding wire from the coil to theplungers mounted on the face of the annulus.

. 20. In a stapling machine, an annulus having provision for supportinga wire coil thereabout, staple forming plungers extending substantiallyradially from said annulus, rocking operating devices for saidplungerswithin the annulus and a device for feeding wire from the coil to theplungers J comprising an arc-shaped member mounted ried thereby, meansfor operating the plun-- gers located in the center of said frame andwire feed means comprising a member having pin and slot connection withsaid frame and having wire gripping means associated therewith and meanscorrelating with movement of the plungers for oscillating the member.

23. -In a stapling machine, an annular frame, staple forming plungersextending radially thereof, driving means therefor located Within theopening of the annulus, an arc-shaped member having pin and slotconnection With the face of the annulus,

frame, means for reciprocating them and l means to move. the memberagainst the spring on one phase of the reciprocation.

25. Ina stapling machine, a base, an arm pivoted thereon, a transverseenlargement of said arm having provision for holding a Wire coilthereabout, staple forming plungers extending transversely of the enlarement, means. on the enlargement to feed Wire to the plungers and ananvil on the base cooperating with the plungers.

26. In a stapling machine, a base, an armpivoted thereon, an annulustransverse to the arm having provision for holding a'wire coilthereabout, rockable plunger-operating devices, in the opening of theannulus, staple forming plungers carried radially of the annulus, meanson the annulus for feeding ire to the plungers and an anvil on the basecooperating with the plungers.

27. In" a stapling machine, an annular or open-centered frame, stapleforming and driving plungers carried thereby, alever for operating theplungers pivoted at the center of the frame, and stops carried therebyadapted to engage the frame at opposite sides thereof to limitoscillatory movement of the lever.

28. In a stapling machine an open-centered frame having a transverseshaft journaled therein, a set of staple forming and driving plungersarranged longitudinally of the shaft, cams on the shaft for operatingthe plungers and an operating lever for operating the shaft projectingtransversely from the center of the frame.

29. A machine as described in claim- 28 wherein the frame provides forthe support of a coil of staple-forming Wire concentrically thereabout.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my I name to this specification.

CHARLES LEA

